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Columbia Values Diversity Award winners announcedThe 24th annual Columbia Values Diversity Awards were announced at the Columbia Values Diversity Celebration, presented as a virtual experience in 2021. The celebration website, CoMoDiversityCelebration.com, launched Jan. 18 on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with all content accessible online. Participants can view a program including the annual presentation of the Diversity Awards, the Student Writings Program and an engaging panel discussion. Below are the winners of the group and individual Diversity Awards.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Eta Alpha Chapter, Group 2021 Diversity AwardThe brothers of the Eta Alpha Graduate Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity have been serving the mid-Missouri community since 1934. The fraternity performs service projects throughout the community and hosts fundraisers to sponsor college scholarships. Additionally, the Eta Alpha Chapter strives to support local families and promote youth literacy.
Dr. Peter Stiepleman, Individual 2021 Diversity AwardDr. Peter Stiepleman is the superintendent of Columbia Public Schools. During his time with CPS, he has served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. In every position or role, Stiepleman has championed the ideals of inclusion, diversity and equity. Whether leading by example or setting the pace for creating an environment of learning in these areas of diversity and cultural understanding, he has been relentless.
Congratulations to the 2021 Diversity Award Winners! Learn more at CoMoDiversityCelebration.com.
CoMo.gov February 2021
City Stats
573.874.CITY (2489)TTY (MoRelay) 711
City of Columbia, Mo. Government @CoMoGov
City Source
Official COVID-19 Vaccine InformationVisit CoMo.gov/CovidVaccine
The annual Diversity Celebration and Diversity Awards take place every January to honor the life
and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
28 Diversity
Celebrations since 1993
56 individuals and organizations
recognized with Diversity Award
1,100maximum attendance for
in-person celebration,
2021’s virtual celebration had no limit!
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Eta Alpha Chapter, Group 2021 Diversity Award
Dr. Peter Stiepleman, Individual 2021 Diversity Award
2021 is a virtual celebration
Progress as Promised: Parks and Recreation completes second phase development of Strawn Park
Columbia Parks and Recreation recently completed phase II development of Strawn Park, 801 N. Strawn Road. The 129-acre community park is the home of the Harmony Bends Championship Disc Golf Course.
The second phase of development included a new restroom facility, parking expansion and ADA walkway improvements.
The additional amenities are expected to support disc golf tournaments and other events held at the park. Harmony Bends Disc Golf Course has hosted regional and national tournaments since it opened in 2016. The course is scheduled to host the 2021 Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) Tim Selinske U.S. Masters Championship in September.
The total investment of the second phase was $200,000. Funding came from the voter-approved 2015 Park Sales Tax.
For more information, please contact Parks and Recreation at 573.874.7460.
Enhancements were recently completed at Strawn Park that included a new restroom facility, parking expansion and ADA walkway improvements.
Street Talk: Making curb ramps ADA accessible after overlay projectsDuring asphalt overlay projects, the City’s Public Works Department makes sure the curb ramps meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards.
Curb ramps are needed wherever a sidewalk or other pedestrian walkway crosses a curb. Curb ramps must be located to ensure a person with a mobility disability can travel from a sidewalk on one side of the street to the sidewalk on the other side of the street.
Public Works implements a pavement preservation plan, which includes yearly asphalt overlays.
A project that includes milling and overlaying an existing road falls within the definition of “alteration.” Alterations require the installation of curb ramps if none previously existed, or upgrading non-compliant curb ramps to meet current standards.
The asphalt overlays are completed over the summer and adjacent non-compliant curb ramps are then replaced over the following fall and winter.
City releases status report for Columbia ImaginedThe City’s Planning and Zoning Commission, along with City staff, are currently working on a five-year status report for “Columbia Imagined – The Plan for How We Live & Grow” which is the City of Columbia’s comprehensive land use plan.
Columbia Imagined was adopted by the City Council on Oct. 7, 2013. The plan provides residents, appointed boards and commissions, and elected officials with guidance on land use, growth management and quality of life considerations.
The status report will provide the City Council with an evaluation of the plan’s goals and objectives, implementation efforts to-date, and present recommendations for new and evolving trends and community priorities that would be incorporated into the next full plan update anticipated to begin in early 2022. The status report will also provide opportunities for renewed public engagement with community stakeholders and residents relating to the City’s comprehensive planning process.
To view the status report, please visit CoMo.gov/Community-Development/Planning/Five-Year-Status-Report.
Waste pickup changes benefit staff, environmentThis month, the Solid Waste Utility began enforcing its new Pay As You Throw curbside trash collection program that encourages conservation and improves working conditions for our staff.
Refuse left curbside for collection must be placed inside an official City-issued bag imprinted with the City logo.
The Solid Waste Utility designed the regulations to limit the volume of trash to normal household garbage to prevent recyclable, reusable and compostable materials from being disposed of in the landfill when these items could be better managed at a lower financial and environmental cost.
Less trash means less environmental damage. WasteZero estimates a reduction of 6,000 tons of garbage going to the landfill per year.
For more information, please visit CoMo.gov.
Columbia Police invites community members to policy review sessionsAs the community calls for more accountability and transparency from law enforcement, Columbia Police continues to strive to adapt to those needs.
Several times a year, the Columbia Police Department hosts policy review sessions where community members are invited to review and talk about the modification of current policies or approve drafts of new policies to be added. This enables the community the opportunity to learn how CPD operates.
All policy drafts are shared at least two weeks before the review session on social media and the City’s online calendar or can be emailed by request. This allows time to look over the policy and develop any questions or suggestions. The review sessions are an open roundtable style setting that allows everyone a safe space to offer input.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CPD has extended the session from in-person only to adding a streaming platform. Community members can attend in-person or view the live streaming session online. Those planning to attend online have the option to email any questions that relate to the policies anytime during that two week window until the end of the business day before the meeting.
To be added to the list for alerts or to send questions you have about the policies that will be reviewed, please email [email protected].
Parks and Recreation Events
Columbia Parks and Recreation is modifying and adding to the list of community special events to ensure compliance with Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services orders and social distancing guidelines. For current information, please visit CoMo.gov/ParksandRec or call 573.874.7460. You may also visit the Parks and Recreation Facebook page at Facebook.com/ParksandRec.
The Cosmo-Bethel Park lake was stocked with about 2,400 trout for the winter trout fishing program.
Code Corner: Cars parked on the grassCars parked on the grass are unsightly but it is also a violation of the City’s zoning code.
Vehicle parking, storage and maneuvering areas must be paved with concrete, asphalt or an alternative paving material approved by the director of Community Development. Both the vehicle owner and the property owner can be held responsible when a violation occurs. Trailers, boats and RVs may also not park on the grass in accordance with the property maintenance code.
If there is an issue in your neighborhood, please let us know how we can help: 573.874.CITY (2489) or [email protected].
Vehicle winter emergency kitSince winter has arrived, do you have a winter emergency kit in your vehicle? A bag with a few essential items like a flashlight, extra batteries, blanket, snacks, water and first aid kit will be invaluable if you find yourself stranded on a roadway. Take a moment to gather some emergency supplies and you’ll be better prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Contact the Columbia Fire Department for more information by email at [email protected] or by phone at 573.874.7391.
New MyCOMO app available for downloadThe City of Columbia is excited to announce the new MyCOMO app to connect you with City information.
MyCOMO provides information on topics such as city government, upcoming events, utility services, outage maps and directories, and other City of Columbia information. Users can receive notifications on specific events such as changes in trash collection and upcoming City Council meetings, chat with a customer service representative during business hours and report issues.
Download the MyCOMO mobile app from the Google Play or Apple Store. For more information, visit CoMo.gov and search app directory.
City Source is produced by the Communications and Creative Services Division of the Community Relations Department.Cover photo: Snowfall in the winter makes for a beautiful backdrop on the MKT trail.
OUR VISION Columbia is the best place for everyone
to live, work, learn and play.
OUR MISSION To serve the public through democratic,transparent and efficient government.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERSMAYOR
Brian Treece573.874.7222
WARD 1Pat Fowler
WARD 3Karl Skala
WARD 5Matt Pitzer
WARD 2Michael Trapp573.256.0174
WARD 4Ian Thomas
WARD 6Betsy Peters573.874.7812
The City of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status,
disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, receipt of governmental assistance, alienage or
citizenship status, status as a victim of sexual or domestic violence or order of protection status.
CITY OF COLUMBIA701 E. Broadway • P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri 65205573.874.CITY (2489) • CoMo.gov
CITY MANAGERJohn Glascock
Volunteer of the Month: Barb Melson
Volunteer of the Month Barb Melson
Budget billing enrollment begins in MarchUtility Customer Service (UCS) would like to remind customers that March is the enrollment month for our budget billing program.
Budget billing enables customers to pay the same dollar amount each month for their utility bills. This amount is determined by using the average bill amount of the last 12 months.
Throughout the year, the budgeted amount can be higher or lower than the actual bill, but customers should always pay the budget billing amount, not the actual bill amount. Once a year, there is a settle-up month to bring the account current. If a customer has a deferred credit balance, the account will be credited for that amount. If the deferred balance is a deficit (owing) amount customers pay the actual amount due on the bill to bring the account to zero.
To qualify for budget billing, customers must have a full 12-month history at the current address and be current on their payments. Detailed information along with an application will be included on a tear-off flap in the March utility statement. Customers may also apply online at CoMo.gov or call Utility Customer Service at 573.874.7380 for more information.
As the City’s Volunteer Program celebrates 25 years in 2021, we will highlight several long-time volunteers for their service. In February, we recognize Barb Melson. Barb is a volunteer with the Adopt-A-Spot Beautification Program and was previously recognized as the Volunteer of the Month in 2008
Barb cares for a median bed on Park de Ville Drive, just north of Broadway in west Columbia. She started with the program in spring 2004 and, with the help of her husband, Bob, has shared hundreds of hours of service. Their spot has shared color and beauty for 17 years.
“As we work, people are always stopping and thanking us for the beautiful flowers and work we do to help their neighborhood look nice,” Barb said.
Barb is known for her endless energy. She was a physical education teacher with Columbia Public Schools for 37 years and since has had a career as a realtor. The City of Columbia says a big thank you to Barb and Bob for their work in Park de Ville Drive – it has been enjoyed by many!
To learn more about volunteering with the City of Columbia, including the Adopt-A-Spot Program, visit CoMo.gov.